Correct Procedures - Contaminated CH Water

[SirLancelot]

Vaillant ecoTec Plus 837 R1.
(Combi - closed system)

Magnaclean Twin-tech on return (System filter).

Inhibitor Sentinel x100 (Two years ago).

This is the colour of the radiator water:

I'm asking for some guidance on how to get this sorted.

Could it be that this is rust, and that not enough inhibitor was in the system?

A) What do you suspect is going on?

B) Is it a bad idea to powerflush 25 year old pipework.

C) What would be a sensible way to sort this situation out, and get the system ready for winter. I really want to resolve this situation properly. The boiler is in very good nick. There have been no issues other than diverter valve (after 8 years), pcb board & expansion vessel (once).

All replaced once since 2010. Recently.

T's & C's - Any boiler 'case off' work will be done by a gas certified engineer. No exceptions.

My thanks to any willing to contribute.

 

[Madrab]

How much debris - if any - is being caught by the mag filter? You could also run a test on the system water.

If there's little or not debris in the filter then that system water colour with its lack of turbidity could just be an older inhibited system, though I would be happier if it was straw coloured rather than being that darker shade. If there is little or no debris in the mag filter and the rads are heating happily and evenly all over, then I wouldn't recommend a powerflush, simply not needed.

I would suggest you could happily get away with a cleaner in the system for a week or 2 ,then a gravity drain and mains flush till it runs clean. Then correctly inhibit.

 

[gas112]

Water looks clear despite the colour which as madrab has said could be down to the inhibitor .

 

[Johntheo5]

Why not get the water tested?.

 

[SirLancelot]

I think a hybrid approach will make sense.

First things first.

A) How and where can I get the water tested.

Does the CH have to be run for a considerable time before the sample is taken (to ensure there is a churn of the debris, to get an accurate sample)?

B) The inhibitor of choice for this property is Sentinel x100. I'm guessing mixing brands/chems is not a good idea?

 

[Madrab]

Does the CH have to be run for a considerable time before the sample is taken (to ensure there is a churn of the debris, to get an accurate sample)?

Nope - you can do an PH test - just get some litmus paper to ensure the system is as close to neutral as possible, then you can use inhibitor specific tab tests that check for Molybdate components. Only trouble with that is though is that not all inhibitor use the same chemical compound.

The more specific way is to take a sample of the water and send it off to a lab and then receive back a breakdown of the system water components.

As suggested though, unless you system is showing signs that it isn't working correctly, rads not heating properly/cold spots, system water that's dark/black and the filter catching significant amounts of debris then I wouldn't say you have anything to worry about.

Gettingt an experienced local independent engineer in to look after and maintain your system would be my best advise.

 

[fixitflav]

How and where can I get the water tested.

Do a bright wire nail test. Come back if you need details.